Chapter 5: Fate
1
Roswald-Merlin-Goldberg, the headmaster of Aslan Magic Academy, quietly looked out the window. The night curtain had not yet risen, but many guards were bustling about.
“…Luke is a strong child. He was saved by that strength. How pitiful…”
Whose words were those? Was it directed at himself for failing to protect the students, or–
–Knock, knock.
The door burst open without waiting for a response. Entering was one of the academy’s teachers, Duke.
“Gramps, I’m back. …Not a single casualty, not even a scratch. That’s the only saving grace, I suppose. …Did you see it?”
“Yes, he didn’t even change expression. In fact, he gave me an annoyed look when I tried to worry over him. What a strong child.”
“Yeah…Seems he beat back the assailants. It’s a sorry tale, but we’re the ones who were saved…”
“…………”
–Thud!
A dull sound as Roswald struck the wall with his fist.
“–And I couldn’t protect a single student. What kind of teacher am I?”
“…………”
Roswald’s words were tinged with clear anger and frustration. Duke silently watched this rare sight of the usually calm Roswald.
“You really have a lot of nerve. –I’ll make sure anyone who commits such outrage in my academy regrets it.”
“–So you figured it out.”
“Of course. I didn’t live this long for nothing. –There must be an [informant] who orchestrated this attack, isn’t there?”
“Yeah…I don’t wanna think about it, but it’s the only explanation for all these inexplicable things.”
“…As much as I don’t want to think about it, there’s no helping it.”
A traitor among those he trusted.
It was not an uncommon occurrence, but it was still a painful thing.
“Well…the academy itself might not even exist anymore.”
“That’s true. The noble faction won’t stay silent about this failure. …No, I shouldn’t be thinking about this.”
“Damn straight. This attack really highlighted Milestia’s weakness that we’ve been ignoring. …Or maybe we just didn’t want to see it.”
“…Indeed.”
Stroking his long beard, Roswald quietly turned to face Duke.
His eyes shone with a resolute determination.
“–Let’s hold a meeting. Can you gather everyone?”
“Yeah.”
With those words, the two left the room.
§
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After that.
The dormitory residents, awakened by my anguished cries cursing my fate, gathered one by one.
Though they were first-year dormitory residents,Because some idiot lost to Abel and transferred to another school, there were only thirty-nine of us including Alice and myself. But it was a pandemonium.
Some of them were distraught because they had never seen a dead body before, and some of them were crying and screaming.
Then there were those in shock, those wailing, those vomiting…It was hell.
“…Tired.”
Guards were quickly summoned, and as the involved party, I had to undergo questioning. As a result, I had almost no chance to sleep before the night ended.
…Weary from thinking, I just answered what was asked. But upon further reflection, they should have prioritized resting my mind and body first. –This country really is shit.
“…I’m sorry. This is the academy’s…our responsibility. While we were supposed to protect you, for something like this to happen…How could this–no, I’m just glad you’re safe.”
” ………… “
“Freya…Yes, we unconsciously thought the peace would continue forever…But no matter how long peace lasts, nobody can be sure if tomorrow will be peaceful or not…”
” ………… “
–The atmosphere is heavy and suffocating.
Freya, who rushed over first, explained various things, but the attack was not just yesterday, but mere hours ago. Even the faculty is still in disarray.
According to Freya, the academy will likely be closed indefinitely, and all students will have to return home. But that can’t happen immediately.
So the academy is preparing temporary accommodations for us until then. Now, under the highest level of alert, we are moving there under the escort of dozens of royal knights.
Well, the indefinite closure is understandable. Student attacks have never happened in the history of Aslan Magic Academy. This incident was quite shocking in various ways.
And above all, there is the mystery of the [magic obstruction]. For the magic-supremacist Milestia Kingdom, that threatens the peace that has lasted for decades.
This attack has surely awakened the crisis awareness they had forgotten.
Nothing that could be the cause of the [magic interference] was found in the bodies of the attackers. A [magic sealing shackle] was discovered, but this is something commonly used in the kingdom to imprison mages who have committed crimes. If the attackers’ objective was abduction rather than murder, this is not surprising at all.
The magic sealing shackle only works if it is in direct contact with the body. Could it be dark magic then?
However, I have a feeling that I did not sense any signs of them being skilled mages.
In that case…… no, it’s no use pondering this now.
The only certain thing is that I sensed something akin to [dark attribute].
Perhaps there is a reason they targeted me for this. In fact, if I hadn’t been taught swordsmanship by Alfred, I would have been helpless.
……If that’s the case, then just like in the original story, I must have been abducted. My knowledge of the original work is still limited, but I can roughly imagine the subsequent developments. The me who was abducted will be rescued by Abel somehow. And the fact that I, a weak person, was saved will wound my pride, further deepening the conflict between me and Abel……something like that.
“……Not being able to use magic is certainly troublesome.”
“Ah…… Yes, sister.”
“Eh, sister…? Normally you’d call me big sis──”
“──Sister, please be quiet.”
“………… “
I have never seen this meek Amelia. Freya is the same.
Hmm, so the people of this country become this weak-willed when their magic is sealed.
This too is a downside of being overly dependent on magic.
“Ah, come to think of it…… that time, Alice was also covered in blood……”
“………… “
It was Abel who suddenly said that.
“……What are you misunderstanding? Don’t casually talk to me like that. I’m not as kind as Luke.”
“I, I’m sorry…!”
“Hey, what’s with that tone! Rank doesn’t matter in this academy, you know!”
“Kee kee kee kee, you’re so noisy. I’m tired. Please be quiet.”
“Wh-What did you say!?”
“Luke…… I’m so glad you’re safe. Are you hurt anywhere? If so, just tell me and I’ll heal you with a recovery spell──”
“……Yeah, I’m sleepy.”
In contrast to Amelia and Freya, the people around me are still as noisy as ever.
Maybe because I’m extremely sleepy, their voices are echoing painfully in my head.
……Alice should have slept as much as I did, but she’s lively as always.
“Alright, let me clarify the misunderstanding for you. Hearing Luke’s scream, I rushed here faster than anyone else. He’s my beloved fiancé, after all. Isn’t that natural?”
“………… “
“But I was flustered when I saw the sea of blood all around, and I…… slipped and fell.”
“Y-You slipped and fell…?”
“Yes, and quite spectacularly at that. That’s why I was covered in blood. Even your limited brain should be able to understand that, right?”
“Ah, I see…… Thank you for explaining…”
“………… “
It’s amazing how this woman can spout such nonsense with a straight face.
But it would be problematic if it became known that I had brought Alice to my room. Let’s just say that Alice spectacularly slipped and fell.
“──Luke-kun!”
A voice came from the sky then.
Recognizing that very familiar voice, my heart sank even further into gloom.
──It’s Yorand. And sure enough, he gently landed next to me.
“Ah, I’m so glad you’re safe!”
“………… “
As Yorand tried to embrace me with outstretched arms, I──flicked him.
It was too creepy, so I slapped him. I haven’t done anything wrong. The justice is on my side.
“How disgusting. Don’t come any closer to me.”
“Wha…… Haa haa…… H-How cruel, Luke-kun. I was just worried about you……brother”
“Why, why would I want someone like you as a brother……”
“………… “
Seeing the creepy breathing of Yorand and Alice looking somehow frustrated, I think to myself.
Ah, yes, this is how these siblings are.
“L-Luke-kun, violence is bad…… Yorand-sensei is just worried about you…”
“…… Haa haa.”
“………… “
Abel, I’ve clearly realized that your eyes are full of holes. You’re truly a naive person.
At this point, it’s just ridiculous.
“I’m relieved to see that Alice is also doing well.”
“………… “
Alice silently glared at Yorand.
“But, you know──”
However, in that moment, the atmosphere surrounding Yorand changed drastically.
“The kingdom’s knights are this incompetent, huh. Can’t even do proper patrols, can you?”
Yorand deliberately spoke in a loud voice, loud enough for all the kingdom’s knights present to hear.
No one dares to object. They only have expressions as if they’ve bitten into a bitter insect.
“Year after year, the knights’ abilities continue to decline. Well, I can’t entirely blame you for that. ──But, I think this country needs to be rebuilt from scratch.”
“………… “
Yorand seems to be saying something ominous, but I ignore him and just keep walking.
My head isn’t working. I’m sleepy. I just want to sleep already. That’s the only thing I wish for.
It doesn’t matter how many meaningless attackers come. I’ll just crush them.
But please, at least let me sleep at night…
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Lmao. MC has no idea that his kingdom is being built without him knowing.